Return to you
DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokémon.
Chapter 4: Blossoming Beginning
September 1st
Sapphire's POV
I decided to go through with my plans to collect the 8 badges in 20 days, even without Ruby. After seeing how much effort he placed in making my clothes, I'm sure he would have wanted me to go. I know it will be lonely but I must push through. I'll show him that I can definitely accomplish my goal so that I can surprise him when he comes back as well as make him regret for returning late.
Normal POV
Sapphire was making her way to New Bark Town. She was taking the long route from Pallet to the town where the winds of a new beginning blow. That was what it was called before but now the place is called the town where the wind blows and tells of impending change. Whatever fate it entails, Sapphire will just have to found out on her own.
The vast terrain of countless obstacles proved to be tough especially when she only brought her traveling necessities, badges from Hoenn and her Blaziken, Toro. She decided to leave the rest of her team behind, much to Momo's protest. It was a fresh new journey and she wanted to experience it to the fullest.
Silver accompanied her along the border of Kanto and Johto because it meant getting pass Tohjo Falls and the Hoenn girl had no water pokemon with her. The waterfall cavern had twin sets of falls that crashed on the deep waters of the cave. The roaring sound felt invigorating as it resonated all around the area. The redhead travelled through with ease using his water types, a Feraligatr and a Kingdra. After hitching a ride, Sapphire parted ways there. She insisted in reaching New Bark Town with her own power. Silver agreed and headed there first on his Honchcrow but only after he left his Feraligatr with her, since the girl needed to surf another distance before reaching the town.
Sapphire continued on her own. She swung agilely along the treetops, leaped across the rocks and trudged the thick bushy fields. It was good that Ruby's outfit was flexible enough for her to move in and the long end didn't get in her way at all.
After a while, she came across the lake and at the end, there was a town. Sapphire exhaled deeply when she realized that she was almost there. It would have been faster and easier if she used the train but it would mean that she would start at Goldenrod City, Ruby's hometown. She felt she wasn't ready for it yet, besides she preferred to travel through rugged mountains and wide grassy plains rather than a big metal transport.
Sapphire sent out Silver's Feraligatr and rode on its back. The huge blue croc surfed across the pristine waters with great speed and power. Along the way, the nature-loving trainer got a whiff of the breeze that smelled of fresh dew and flowers. It was no different from the scents in Littleroot but somehow it was still not the same. That was when Sapphire came to really understand that she wasn't in Hoenn anymore.
Finally, Sapphire reached the end of the lake. She got off, thanked the Feraligatr and returned it to its pokeball. It was a small town that seemed almost similar to Littleroot except for the tall wind turbines and the road leading west. The first house that she saw was Gold's also known as the pokehouse. It was obvious because the brunette could hear various pokemon chattering coming from inside as well as Gold shouting at Silver.
Sapphire still had to return the redhead's pokemon but before she could knock on the door, a familiar voice called out to her. She turned around and saw Crystal wearing a lab coat and waving at her. The Hoenn trainer came over and greeted her senior. "Hey, senior Crystal."
"Welcome to New Bark Town." Crystal smiled and gestured to accompany her to the lab. "So today marks the day of your 20-day quest."
"Yeah, that's right." Sapphire replied as she entered the research building. Shelves filled with books and highly advanced equipment could be seen all around. It reminded the girl of her dad's lab except the fact that the laboratory in Johto looked more organized and bigger. She looked around a bit and saw a machine used for healing pokemon as well as a telephone with a monitor.
"Can I use the phone? I need ta tell my Dad that I finally made it here." Sapphire asked.
"Sure." Crystal agreed.
Sapphire chatted with her father and told him about her arrival in Johto. Prof. Birch was glad her daughter reached the place safe and sound. The brunette's pokemon overhead the call and eagerly fawned over the screen to catch a glimpse of their trainer. Sapphire's father was pushed out of the way by the girl's rock-hard duo, Rono and Dono. The blue-eyed teen laughed and then wondered where Momo was. She guessed that she was still feeling upset about getting left behind.
Crystal waited for her to finish the conversation. She was glad to see her junior smiling and even laughing. Gold was right to believe in Sapphire's strong will. After the brunette ended the call, Crystal came over carrying a cylindrical container. The Hoenn girl was curious as to what was inside. The twin-tailed lass happily opened it and revealed three pokeballs. "These are the starters we give to trainers. I already asked permission from Prof. Elm to give you one. We have the grass-type Chikorita, the fire-type Cyndaquil and lastly the water-type Totodile."
The last pokemon reminded Sapphire about Silver's Feraligatr. She told Crystal that she still had to give it back to him. The Capturer offered to return it in her place. The azure-eyed brunette handed the Big Jaw pokemon over and thought about which of the three she should get. It was somehow nostalgic picking out a starter pokemon. She recalled how she first got her two pokemon, Rono and Toro.
It was a few days after the Salamence incident. Prof. Birch and his daughter returned home to Hoenn. Sapphire was about five years old when she said she wanted to help her father's research out in the field. One of the reasons was that she wanted to be stronger so that she wouldn't be helpless when she or anyone else around her was in father was reluctant at first to have her come with him. Sapphire looked really delicate as a little girl, especially in her frilly blue the girl's persistence finally made him agree.
Sapphire met Rono when Prof. Birch found it eating the metal parts of his research equipment. The Hoenn researcher got caught in a tug of war battle as he tried to take his stuff back but the little Iron pokemon was no pushover even for its small stature. Sapphire admired it greatly and befriended it by feeding it more metallic objects, much to her father's disapproval.
The next day, Prof. Birch told his daughter that he'd give her one of the starters he gives to new trainers. Sapphire was thrilled as she took a peek at the three pokemon in their pokeballs. One was a snoozing blue mudfish with runny nose. The other was a restless green gecko and the last one was a quiet orange chick. The blue-eyed child felt a connection to the latter as they gazed at each other. It reminded her of her own self; small, quiet and delicate. She thought maybe both of them could grow strong together, so she chose the Torchic.
"So have you decided?" Crystal inquired curiously.
Sapphire nodded. Since she already had a fire-type it was more reasonable to choose Totodile or Chikorita. Another factor that came to her mind was that she needed a pokemon that would able to surf in the future. "I think I'll go with Tot—"
*slam*
"-E-EXCUSE ME!"
A girl suddenly barged in the lab, shifting everyone's attention. She wore a beige woolly scarf and a white summer dress with short puffy sleeves that matched her frilly ribbon headband. Her curly golden hair contrasted with her lilac shaded eyes while her fair skin blended nicely with her outfit. She was carrying a pinkish ball of wool in her arms and looked like she was in a real hurry. The two dexholders were completely surprised by the unknown girl's arrival. The cerulean eyed Capturer turned to her and asked, "Uhm… May I help you?"
The blonde girl gestured them to wait a minute as panted heavily to catch her breath. Then she made a dash towards the two trainers. "I'm sorry. Am I too la—"
She accidentally tripped and the pinkish ball of wool was thrown across the room, coincidentally landing in Sapphire's arms. The Hoenn teen closely inspected the soft and fuzzy thing.
"Maa?" A small blue head popped out as well as black and yellow tail with a sphere at the end.
"A Mareep - A shiny one at that." Crystal pointed out when she realized what the ball of fluff actually was. Sapphire continued to gaze at its little black eyes. Somehow the pink shade kept nagging Ruby's name in her head.
Meanwhile the violet-eyed girl got to her feet and made her way towards the dexholders. Again, she bowed deeply and apologized, "I'm sorry. I can be a real klutz sometimes…"
"No worries." Sapphire approached her and handed the peach colored sheep. "Here, ya go."
"Ah, no that Mareep's for you." The blonde said, catching the Hoenn trainer by surprise. "You are Sapphire Birch, right? I kind of figured that out by the clothes you're wearing."
The girl's words were getting more and more confusing. How and why did she know Sapphire's name? Why did she recognize her by her clothes? And what did she mean by the shiny Mareep was for her? Sapphire's face darkened. She knew Ruby was involved one way or another.
"Uhm, who are you?" Crystal asked.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" The unknown girl bowed again. "I'm Liz. I'm a friend of Ruby's. He made those clothes for you, am I right? I recognize his handiwork anywhere."
Sapphire's hunch was correct. "Ruby's friend, huh?" She eyed the girl closely. Liz was a petite lass assuming to be much younger than her; maybe a good two to three years. She looked really dainty and her aura was like that of Ruby's Finneon, Nene. Sapphire could feel a tinge of jealousy as she imagined her being friends with him.
Liz couldn't read Sapphire's stare but Crystal read it like an open book. She turned to the blonde and inquired further, "What do you mean the Mareep's for Sapphire?"
"W-well… You see, my family lives near Olivine City and have been raising Mareeps for years now. We make it a business to make use of their wool for clothes and stuff." Liz eagerly presented her hand-made scarf. "Ruby was a frequent customer of ours. Before he left Johto, he used to order wool and knit them into cute clothes for his pokemon."
"But that doesn't explain how you know Sapphire and why are you giving her a shiny Mareep." Crystal emphasized her point.
"As you've might have noticed I'm sort of clumsy." Liz admitted shyly. "Ruby was the one who taught me how to knit. With his help, I've gotten really good at it. When he left, I was really sad that I couldn't repay him." Her expression saddened but then it lit up with a bright smile. "Then I got a phone call from him a few months ago. He said that he and his girlfriend were coming to Johto. He wanted me to provide some supplies for the clothes he planned to make. I got really excited! But then news about his disappearance reached me. I felt disappointed that I couldn't see him or thank him properly."
Liz kept a strong front as faced Sapphire and placed her hands on hers. "So as way of extending my gratitude to him, I'm giving you, the girlfriend of Ruby, my fave Mareep."
"Maa!" The pink Mareep sounded gleefully and swished its tail.
Sapphire flushed at the girl's emphasis on girlfriend. Then she eyed the sheep pokemon with mixed feelings. Why does it have to be PINK?! Am I cursed or something? There was no choice but to accept it, seeing that Liz was willing to part with her favourite Mareep in order to thank Ruby.
"Isn't that great, Sapphire? You should know that the first gym in Johto uses flying types. Electrical types are a great help." Crystal explained and glanced at the case containing the three starters. "So do still plan on taking one of these three?"
"Well…" Sapphire held the sheep pokemon in her arms and rubbed its fleece. The small sphere on its tail began to light up.
"Ah! You shouldn't do that!" Crystal and Liz shouted in unison but it was too late.
*Fzzztt* The shiny Mareep released a weak electrical charge that shocked Sapphire and made her hair all static. It didn't hurt much but her caramel locks became extremely unruly. Liz hurried and took the pink sheep away from her and apologized while Crystal asked if she was okay.
Then all of a sudden, Sapphire felt something rustling at her side. The girls turned their attention the bag that was around the brunette's waist. Without warning, a luminous red matter came out and formed a small gray chinchilla with a big pink ribbon around its neck.
"Minccino!"
"MOMO! Ya freakin' stowaway! What are ya doin' here?!" Sapphire shouted angrily. Momo ignored her and clung to her bag. She took out a small case and hopped onto the floor. It was a mini-fashion case modified with pockets for brushes. The red-eyed Minccino hastily put on a pair of pink heart-shaped rimmed glasses and held out a brush. After flashing a quick wink, she scurried up Sapphire's head and within seconds, brushed her hair back to normal.
Feeling proud of her achievement, Momo jumped back down and placed her glasses above her head. She was expecting her trainer to thank her but instead, Sapphire grabbed her ribbon by the back and glared at her. "Alright ya fussy little furball, I'm sending ya back ta Hoenn."
Momo flinched and struggled in protest. "Mi-Minccino!"
"No buts! I said I was only taking Toro and that's that!"
Momo started crying frantically. She really didn't want to go back to Hoenn. Sapphire was about to return the troublesome Minccino to her pokeball when Crystal stopped her. She pitied the furry gray pokemon. "C'mon Sapphire. Why don't you let the little fella come along?"
The brown-haired teen grumbled and glanced at Momo who was staring at her pleadingly. Her round red eyes looked like it could melt anyone's heart with just one look. Sapphire released the Minccino and raised her hands in submission. "Fine! Ya win."
Momo's face lit up and her tail wagged ecstatically."Mincci!"
Liz set the pink Mareep down so it could get acquainted with its new trainer's Minccino. The two hit off right away. Momo fawned around her new friend. She wanted to brush the Mareep with her tail but after seeing what happened to Sapphire, it wasn't a good idea. Instead she tied a red ribbon on its tail to show how much she was glad to meet it. The shiny Mareep baaed and its tail lit up like a light bulb.
Sapphire sighed again at the sight of the fuzzy duo. Before in Hoenn, her pokemon consisted of a rock-hard team, now her team consisted of Toro and two girly balls of fluff; Momo and...
"I guess I still have ta give ya a name." Sapphire words shifted the attention of the little sheep, making it look up to her with anticipation. After thinking it over and finding out from Liz that its gender was female, the Hoenn girl decided to call her Moro.
She sent out her Blaziken to meet the new addition to their team. Toro towered over the two fluffy pokemon. Momo was used to being the smallest in Sapphire's team but Moro was not very comfortable seeing a bigger pokemon, having grown in a flock of her own species. The red-eyed Minccino saw her new friend's uneasiness. She tried to convince that the Blaziken was a good friend and that there was nothing to be worried about. Toro squawked in a soft tone to greet their newest member. Feeling a little better, Moro baaed back.
Then Momo thought of something. She rummaged through her personal case and pulled out a short pink scarf that was similar to the one tied to Sapphire's chocolate locks. Then she scampered up the blaze pokemon's shoulder and tied the fabric around her neck, making the four of them, including their trainer, a matching set in shades of pink.
Sapphire was unhappy how things were turning out but there was nothing she could do about it. She turned to Crystal and told her that she won't be needing one of the three starters after all. Her hands were quite full at the moment.
After letting out another exasperated sigh, Sapphire turned to her three pokemon. "Alright, Toro, Momo, Moro, we better head out. We got a tight schedule to keep." The trio nodded and their faces flickered with eager determination.
"Good luck, Sapphire. We all wish you the best." Crystal smiled encouragingly.
Liz crouched down to the pink Mareep and bid her goodbye. "Well Mareep—I mean Moro, have fun on your journey with Sapphire. I'll send your regards to the others and be sure to drop by when you reach Olivine City. Okay?"
"Maa!" Moro answered happily.
Sapphire thanked Liz and promised to take good care of the Mareep. Then she returned Toro and Moro to their pokeballs. Momo, on the other hand, refused. She would rather stay outside in fear of the chances of being sent back to Hoenn. Before the brown-haired trainer could force her Minccino back to her pokeball, Crystal mentioned the hot trend circling the region. It was about walking with side by side with one of your pokemon, outside of its pokeball. A lot of trainers were doing it. Momo approved of the idea and nominated herself to be that pokemon.
*facepalm* Sapphire was starting to regret not sending Momo back home. She bid goodbye to the two girls and turned around to leave, purposely ignoring the fluffy chinchilla pokemon. Momo stood in disbelief as she watched her trainer go out the door without as much as a second glance. Realizing she was getting left behind, the annoyed Minccino puffed her cheeks and hurriedly ran after her trainer while carrying her mini-fashion case. "MINCCI!"
TEAM
Toro (Blaziken)
Nature: Quiet
Momo (Minccino)
Nature: Sassy
Moro (Mareep)
Nature: Docile
As Sapphire hurried over to the next town which according to her map was Cherrygrove City, she gradually felt the world around grow bigger. Johto was very different from Hoenn. There were no scampering little Zigzagoons in the bushes, instead there were Sentrets, bobbing up and down in the tall grass. They stood on their thick striped tails as they kept a lookout for the things around them. The chirping sounds of Tailows were replaced with cooing of Pidgeys in the treetops. But it still felt relatively peaceful.
"Mincci!"
Sapphire finally stopped and glanced back. Momo was quickly making her way towards the girl. Any pokemon that stood in her path was flung back with a hard swish of her tail. She was already annoyed to the point of smoke fuming out of her ears. Eventually, the red-eyed Minccino reached her trainer but in an exhausted and messy state. Leaves and feathers were caught in her fur and her precious pink bow.
Sapphire crossed her arms and looked down at her pokemon. "Ya ready ta go home yet?"
"MI!" Momo shook her head and rapidly tidied herself. She retied her ribbon to the side of her neck, instead of the back as well as styling it in a large Butterfree shape. Then she wore her glasses back on her eyes and gave another wink. "Mincci…"
The Minccino was worse than Ruby. Sapphire didn't know what to do with the eccentric chinchilla pokemon. She scratched her head in aggravation before hearing her stomach rumble. The berries and fruits in the region were too unfamiliar for her. She turned to the road and saw the next town was not too far away.
Momo realized her trainer's problem and quickly scan the area for any food source. Then her scarlet eyes caught a glimpse of a weird looking tree with berries growing out of it. With eagerness to help out, she turned to Sapphire and gestured to the tree. "Mi-Mincci!" Then she hurriedly headed towards it.
"Wait a sec, Momo!" Sapphire exclaimed but the Minccino was already up in the tree, picking out the strange round green fruits. Momo sat down on a branch and wagged her tail happily as she saw there was enough for all of them. She turned to Sapphire and waved one of the produce at her.
"Momo! Don't go picking around random berries." Sapphire scolded. She was one to talk but that was when they were in Hoenn, where she knew all the berries like the back of her hand. The things that Momo picked didn't looked like any berries that the girl had encountered.
"Min-cci-no…" Momo decided to show her trainer that there was no harm in picking them so she took one, wiped it, opened her mouth wide and bit it. *crack* Momo cringed at the aching sensation in her mouth. The fruit was hard as a rock. Her body stiffened and her eyes were welling up in tears.
"Momo? Ya okay?" Sapphire looked up in concern. Then she heard her pokegear rang. She quickly answered it and realized it was Crystal.
"By the way Sapphire, I forgot to mention. The fruits growing here in Johto aren't your usual berries especially the round ones- they're called Apricorns. They are used in making special pokeballs. They're extremely hard and considered not edible."
*sweat drop* "Ya don't say?" Sapphire could only imagine what Momo must be feeling at the moment.
"Well, if you want to eat them, they have to be juiced." Crystal explained further.
"Thanks for tellin' me. I gotta go now." Sapphire ended the call and looked up again at her Minccino who hasn't moved an inch. The Hoenn teen decided to climb up and get her. She scaled the tree agilely and reached out to the gray chinchilla. "Hey, ya okay?"
Grimacing and crying, Momo turned to her trainer and leaped unto her arm. After securing the chinchilla pokemon, Sapphire jumped down and patted Momo's head. She wanted to scold her for not listening but seeing that she suffered enough made Sapphire decide not to.
Her attention shifted to the fallen green apricorns on the ground. One by one she picked them up and placed them in her bag for safe keeping. Now she had two agendas in Cherrygrove City. One was to find food and the other was to have Momo checked at the pokemon center.
As Sapphire approached the city, she detected the smell of sweet flora and the salty sea breeze. It was refreshing as the feeling of reaching a new place. The City was a little bigger than New Bark Town and the roofs of the houses had a rosy color instead of bright green. The hue made Sapphire think that she fit right in even though she was a complete foreigner. She hurriedly headed for the pokemon center to avoid unnecessary stares from the townspeople.
As she entered the building, one particular person in the shadows looked at her with interest. The individual smiled and took a few shots with a camera. "So it begins..."
End of Chapter 4
I adore Momo! But I torture her so...
I wanted a Totodile at first but I don't want to clash the same pokemon with the other dexholders.
I have a soft spot for Shiny pokemon.
A stranger... A stalker? We will just wait and see.
Thanks for the reviews: Sam and Remi! =D
I hope to hear from others as well. Constructive criticism is helpful. Suggestions as well.